Alaves vs Real Sociedad: Copa del Rey Quarter-Final Preview

In the heart of Basque football country, a fierce regional rivalry reignites as Alaves hosts Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. Set for February 4, 2026, at Estadio de Mendizorroza, this matchup pits two storied clubs against each other in a battle for semi-final glory. Real Sociedad, known affectionately as La Real, enters the fray with ambitions of lifting the trophy for the third time in their history, while Alaves dreams of etching their name into the competition's lore. With both teams in solid form in La Liga, this cup tie promises drama, skill, and unyielding passion.

Real Sociedad's Road to the Quarter-Finals

Real Sociedad's journey in the 2025-26 Copa del Rey has been a testament to their resilience and tactical prowess under head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo. The San Sebastian-based club has notched four straight wins in the tournament, dispatching lower-league sides with clinical efficiency before overcoming tougher opponents to reach this stage. Their last Copa del Rey triumph came in the 2019-20 season, a crowning achievement that ended a 33-year drought since their 1987 victory. Despite reaching five other finals, La Real has often fallen short, making this campaign a redemption arc of sorts.

In La Liga, Real Sociedad sits eighth in the standings, just six points shy of a European spot. Their recent 1-1 draw against Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao highlighted their grit—leading until the 88th minute before conceding a late equalizer. This result extended their unbeaten run to eight matches across all competitions since mid-December, a streak that underscores Matarazzo's balanced approach blending defensive solidity with fluid attacking play. Key to their success has been the midfield orchestration and the lethal finishing from forwards like Mikel Oyarzabal, who netted in a recent outing.

Challenges from Recent Form

Despite the positives, Real Sociedad's head-to-head record against Alaves is a concern. They've lost their last three encounters, including a narrow 1-0 defeat in December's La Liga clash. This vulnerability adds intrigue, as Alaves has proven adept at exploiting La Real's occasional lapses. However, with players like Orri Oskarsson potentially stepping up in attack, Real Sociedad's depth could prove decisive in overturning the trend.

Alaves: The Underdog Aiming for History

Alaves, under the guidance of Eduardo Coudet, enters this fixture buoyed by momentum. Their Copa del Rey campaign has been flawless so far, with four victories propelling them to the quarters. Victories over Deportivo Getxo, Portugalete, Sevilla, and Rayo Vallecano showcase their knockout pedigree. The club's sole Copa del Rey final appearance was in 2016-17, where they fell 3-1 to Barcelona, fueling a collective hunger for their first title.

In La Liga, Alaves occupies 10th place, only three points behind Real Sociedad, following a hard-fought 2-1 win over Espanyol. This back-to-back league success signals growing confidence. Coudet's pragmatic style emphasizes counter-attacks and set-piece threats, with strikers Toni Martinez and Lucas Boye forming a dynamic duo that terrorized Espanyol's defense recently.

Team News and Tactical Insights

For Alaves, injuries to Nikola Maras (knee) and Denis Suarez (muscular) will test their squad depth. Expect Yusi at left-back, with Jon Guridi and Abde Rebbach likely featuring in midfield to provide energy and creativity. The possible lineup reads: Fernandez; Tenaglia, Protesoni, Pacheco, Yusi; Calebe, Guridi, Guevara, Rebbach; Martinez, Boye. This setup balances defense with quick transitions, ideal for home advantage at Mendizorroza.

Real Sociedad faces its own hurdles. Injuries sideline Ander Barrenetxea, Takefusa Kubo, Arsen Zakharyan, Inaki Ruperez, and Unai Marrero, while Brais Mendez serves a suspension from a red card in the Bilbao derby. Duje Caleta-Car returns from suspension, bolstering the backline. Matarazzo is likely to field: Remiro; Aramburu, Martin, Zubeldia, Gomez; Guedes, Gorrotxategi, Soler, Marin; Oskarsson, Oyarzabal. Oskarsson's inclusion could add a fresh dimension up top, complementing Oyarzabal's experience.

Tactically, this clash could hinge on midfield control. Alaves' pressing game might disrupt Real Sociedad's build-up, but La Real's possession-based style—averaging 55% in recent matches—could wear down the hosts. Watch for set-pieces, where both teams rank highly in conversion rates this season.

Head-to-Head and Historical Context

The Basque derby element intensifies the stakes. Real Sociedad holds a historical edge with 28 wins in 60 meetings, but Alaves has won four of the last seven. Their December La Liga loss still stings for La Real, who will seek revenge. Beyond the pitch, this match embodies regional pride, drawing passionate crowds and media attention across Spain.

Prediction and What to Expect

Predicting this tie is no easy task—both sides are evenly matched, with home advantage tilting slightly toward Alaves. Their recent form suggests they can grind out results, but Real Sociedad's quality and unbeaten streak give them an edge. We foresee a tight contest ending 2-1 to Alaves, propelled by Martinez or Boye's opportunism. However, if Oyarzabal finds his rhythm, La Real could progress 1-0 in extra time.

For fans, this is more than a game; it's a celebration of Basque football heritage. Tune in to see if Real Sociedad reclaims dominance or if Alaves scripts a fairy tale. With the semi-finals beckoning, every pass and tackle will count.

As La Liga heats up, this cup run could define both clubs' seasons, blending domestic rivalries with national aspirations.